HUMlab, Umeå University

HUMlab at Umeå University is a vibrant meeting place for the humanities and information technology. A large and diverse studio environment serves as the most important manifestation of this basic idea which involves bringing people together, looking at information technology as tool, medium, study object, and activist venue, and doing things that have never been done before. HUMlab is localized at the very center of the campus, and attracts people from the whole university and from the outside. Many international visitors come to HUMlab, and there is often a number of simultaneous activities going on in the space. Everyone is invited to participate. The lab is accessible 24h year round. HUMlab is a prioritized platform at Umeå University, and through strong support from the university and from several external funding agencies, a massive expansion and strengthening of research in the humanities and information technology will take place over the next couple of years. Among other things. five international postdoctoral researchers will initiate 1-2-year research visits in 2007. The lab will also be almost doubled in size through a new unique concept that involves a great many screens, interaction technology, installation space, and dedicated hardware and software for areas such as digital cultural heritage, participatory media, electronic literature and digital art. HUMlab is envisioned as an international center of excellence for digital humanities.

Specialties

digital humanties, digital cultural heritage, cartography, art, simulation, computer games, dynamic mapping, iconic-symbolic representation, non-textual elements, interdisciplinary practice, visualization, participatory media, electronic literature